Prof Grace Callagy of University Hospital Galway gave the causes of Ms Halappanavar’s death last October as septic shock, E Coli ESBL infection and miscarriage at 17 weeks gestation associated with the onset of acute chorioamionitis (infection of the foetal membranes).

Prof Callagy said the most common source of infection in such situation was one ascending up the genital tract. There was no other focus of infection. Multiple swabs had been taken from Ms Halappanavar which showed she had E Coli infection in her rectum. It was most likely that the organism may have originated in the rectum and then ascended the genital tract from the uterus.

For this to happen, the membranes would have to rupture, she told coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin.

Savita Halappanavar's husband Praveen is not attending today's seventh day of the inquest into her death.

His solicitor, Gerard O'Donnell, said Mr Halappanavar would find the postmortem results very upsetting and had decided not to attend today.

However, he will return to the inquest tomorrow, when a verdict is expected to be delivered.

Mr O'Donnell said yesterday's evidence, which included a pathologist's report on the couple's dead foetus, was very tough for Mr Halappanavar and was taking a toll on him.

He said he expected Mr Halappanavar's barristers would make some observations before coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin charged the jury.